Toyota Cup Team of the Year

A trainee accountant, a horticulturalist, apprentice carpenters and four university students are among the rising Rugby League stars named in the 2012 Toyota Cup Team of the Year today at Rugby League Central.

NRL Interim Chief Executive, Mr Shane Mattiske, Toyota Regional Manager, Eastern Region, Mr Bernie Smith, and members of the 2012 Toyota Cup Team of the Year gathered to mark the latest achievements in the televised national youth competition which is unrivalled in Australian sport.

In a showcase of the success of the Toyota Cup as a development pathway since its inception in 2008:

-Ten Toyota Cup graduates have already played State of Origin and 17 have played international football for Australia, New Zealand or England (players listed below);

-Warriors and Kiwi Test prop Ben Matulino - a member of the inaugural 2008 Toyota Cup Team of the Year - this season became the first Toyota Cup graduate to play 100 NRL games. He was followed by fellow 2008 Team of the Year members Chris Sandow (Eels) and Warriors team-mate Russell Packer;